He emerged from the north end and went all the way south, delaying work by the ice maintenance staff. He eventually did a counter-clockwise perimeter run, pausing at the penalty bench circle and near the trapezoid behind the south net.

Canucks' photographer Jeff Vinnick, who earlier Tuesday was shooting the Vancouver 2010 mascot introduction ceremony in Surrey, worked overtime and captured the rodent in megapixel form.

The clicking of the shutter, not to mention Vinnick's height, forced him back to the north end where staffers were waiting with a garbage bin and shovel. One press box wag said "there's the Olympic mascot!"

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the latest chapter in the long history of rats and NHL hockey, which includes the career of Ken Linseman and the infamous 1996 Florida Panthers, who were propelled by rat power, thanks to Scott "The Exterminator" Mellanby.

Good game after the first, thats why we pay Lou the big bucks. a goal in the first could have deflated the team, instead Lou stands tall and we come back with a 3 goal 17 shot 2nd period... man if this team can keep on this roll again it'll look like the last half of last season all over again... a very good thing! It's been all around great hockey lately too, gotta love this team!